International Bongo Foundation Mission Statement

Supporting and operating bongo conservation and education programs both in situ and ex situ, with an emphasis on reintroduction, intensive management and protection as well as scientific research that assists these actions.

Bongo Antelope with Transmitter

About the IBF

The International Bongo Foundation (IBF) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation. IBF was formed in December 2006 to promote and facilitate bongo conservation in Kenya with the initial focus on reintroducing Mountain bongo to Mount Kenya.

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) has been managing and maintaining the "American bongo herd" from the repatriation of bongo in 2004, along with a resident "Kenyan herd" they have held since the late 1960's. Together these herds are the foundation for the reintroduction of bongo to Mount Kenya.

The International Bongo Foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes to support and operate bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros) conservation and education programs both ex situ (in captivity) and in situ (in the wild) with an emphasis on reintroduction, intensive management and protection as well as scientific research that assists these actions.

Bongo SSP

Established in 1999, the AZA Bongo Species Survival Plan (SSP) represents 47 AZA member zoological institutions that manage and house bongo antelope. Within these institutions are dedicated staff members that are keenly interested to see bongo returned to the forests of Mount Kenya. Many of these institutions donated funds and bongo for the repatriation effort in 2004 and continue to donate their conservation funds towards the project each year.